Variety or Cultivar? These two
words are often used interchangeably. Traditionally the word "variety" has been
used, but another word that is often used is "cultivar" meaning cultivated
variety.

Years of research and hard work go
into producing a new cultivar. Each new cultivar has to be approved for
qualities such as colour, flavour, and ripening time (to name just a few!). Some
cultivars recently introduced into Nova Scotia orchards and farm markets have
proven to be excellent performers.

The NSFGA was instrumental in the
development of the apple Cultivar /Marketing
Brochure, a handbook that includes these new cultivars as well as our
traditional ones.